"Assistant Administrator of Shuntian Prefecture?"
Hai Rui watched Wang Yan eat and drink heartily, then shook his head with a sigh. "A fifth-rank official. Your promotions have come awfully fast."
"His Majesty trusted me and was willing to put me to use," Wang Yan said. "At all times and in all places, I must never forget His Majesty's immense grace."
"Ah, Ziyan is right. Otherwise, how could his rank have risen so quickly?" Wang Yongji laughed from the side.
"Your understanding is far too shallow." Wang Yan repeatedly shook his head. "Don't think of His Majesty as someone who only enjoys flattery and pleasing words. Wanting to hear nice things is human nature. Even Hai Gangfeng couldn't withstand three sentences of praise.
"His Majesty is the emperor of Great Ming, the exalted Son of Heaven. Saying a few pleasant things to make His Majesty happy is also the duty of us ministers.
"But beyond words, it all comes down to doing real work. You think His Majesty is muddleheaded? Little do you know, those who write the Qing Dynasty prayers are each more dependable than the last when it comes to getting things done."
Hai Rui said, "I think His Majesty is pushing you into opposition against those powerful nobles and wealthy households."
"Isn't that exactly what you would be happy to see?" Wang Yan asked with a grin.
Wang Yongji nodded. "Ziyan truly cares for the people. By targeting the powerful nobles and wealthy households, he has also benefited the common folk and given them better lives."
Yet Hai Rui shook his head. "No matter whom it is for, at this point, your life is already hanging by a thread."
"What kind of unlucky thing is that to say? I've survived so many assassination attempts. They even deployed armored